By Jo Mathis
Legal News
Five local lawyers were honored last week at the Fifth Annual Barristers Night in East Lansing.
The awards are given annually to five members of the Ingham County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, who are recognized for their talents, skills, professionalism, and civility in the practice of law.
These Top 5 Under 35 Awards were presented by Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Borrello, who also spoke about his pride for the profession of law. In a familiar and witty style, Borrello honored each candidate, who then took a few moments to thank supporters.
The winners included:
Sean Gallagher
Sean Gallagher is in his fifth year of practicing commercial litigation with Clark Hill PLC. Gallagher said the Top 5 Under 35 Award is meaningful because it reflects the value that the Ingham County Bar Association places on leadership by the newest lawyers in the community.
“It shows that new lawyers are making differences with clients, colleagues, courts, and in our community at large,” he said. “It also shows that their colleagues and peers recognize and appreciate the positive impact that new lawyers are having.”
Gallagher, 38, falls into the “first 5 years of law practice” eligibility requirement of the award, but otherwise exceeds the age limit.
After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame, he had an eight-year career in the professional association management and auto leasing industries in Chicago and Washington, D.C. before entering law school. He finished his JD magna cum laude at MSU College of Law in 2009.
He has litigated numerous business, constitutional, and environmental disputes before state and federal courts, and regularly advises clients on compliance with public body regulatory requirements, including governmental transparency laws. Most recently, he has served with Clark Hill’s public pension fund team involved in representing the Detroit Retirement Systems in connection with the City of Detroit’s Chapter 9 bankruptcy proceedings and related matters.
Gallagher’s volunteer work includes fundraising for the Junior League of Lansing, coordinating Clark Hill’s volunteer efforts in support of the Red Cross Mid- Michigan Food Bank, and serving as a volunteer with East Lansing Public Schools and the Ingham County Bar Association.
Erin M. Hopper
Erin Hopper is a fourth year associate at White, Schneider, Young and Chiodini [pronounced Q-dini] in Okemos. Her primary practice area is labor and employment law, specializing in representing public education unions. She practices in both the federal and state courts, as well as appearing before the Teachers’ Tenure Commission and the Public Employment Relations Commission. She is also a mediator, a member of the ADR Section Council, a member of a special committee of the Labor and Employment Law Section, a contributing author to Lawnotes, and a former board member of the Young Lawyers Section.
Hopper said she hopes that the award marks the beginning of a long path of making a positive difference.
“It can be difficult, as a young lawyer, to feel like you’re actually accomplishing much, and maybe this signifies that at least you're on your way,” she said.
Hopper received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University, where she was a member of both the marching band and concert band. She also spent a semester working as a legislative intern for Senator Debbie Stabenow in Washington, D.C.
After college, Hopper spent two years working as a paralegal at Williams and Connolly in Washington, D.C. She then attended law school at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where she served on the Executive Board of the Law Review, became certified as a mediator, and edited a book written by one of her professors on contemporary issues of First Amendment law.
Loukas Kalliantasis
Loukas P. Kalliantasis, of Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, PC in Lansing is an associate attorney practicing in trusts and estates, business transactions, and real estate law.
Loukas earned a finance degree from Oakland University and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of University of Detroit Mercy Law Review.
“This award is meaningful to me because I follow a line of Fraser Trebilcock attorneys who are previous recipients,” he said. “It is a testament to the firm’s commitment to associate development, community and professional involvement, and exceptional client service. I am honored to receive this award, especially for the peer recognition that it signifies.”
Upon graduation, Kalliantasis worked for several years with Fraser Trebilcock’s business, real estate and litigation practice groups. During this time, Kalliantasis developed a niche of bringing property tax appeals before the Michigan Tax Tribunal in commercial matters. Over the past two years, Kalliantasis combined his litigation, business and real estate skills as a probate litigator for the Fraser Trebilcock practice group.
Kalliantasis is the treasurer of the Greater Lansing Estate Planning Council, educational, networking and social organization, and a member of Grand River Connection. He is also an active member of the ICBA Probate and Trust Law Section and the ICBA Real Estate Section.
Amanda G. Pollard
Amanda Pollard recently joined the Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office in Charlotte as an assistant prosecuting attorney. Prior to that, she was an associate attorney with A. Gaydos & Leckie, PLLC, where she represented clients in a variety of civil matters, including family law, abuse and neglect, guardianships and conservatorships, adoptions, personal protection, and estate planning. Pollard acted as a court appointed guardian ad litem in conservatorship and guardianship matters, a lawyer guardian ad litem in abuse and neglect matters, and an attorney representing clients regarding petitions in St. Lawrence Mental Commitment hearings. She also currently serves as a director for the Eaton County Bar Association.
“Being nominated for the award was humbling,” said Pollard, noting that she expected neither the nomination nor the win. “I am honored to share this award with a group of such distinguished recipients. I owe a lot to my mentors in the legal field, including numerous members of the Ingham County Bar.”
Pollard received her undergraduate degree from Ball State University, where she was on a full scholarship. And received her J.D. in 2006 from Michigan State University College of Law. During law school, she earned the Jurisprudence Award and an award in Client Counseling and Interviewing.
Nicole E. Stratton
Nicole E. Stratton is a member of the Foster Swift Health Care Practice Group. She joined the firm in 2008 as a summer associate and returned in 2009 after graduating from the Michigan State University College of Law.
She focuses her practice in the areas of health care and banking and finance.
Stratton, 30, said the award represents the culmination of her hard work and community involvement for the past several years.
“I’ve put a lot of time and effort into building a brand for myself and creating a network of community-focused people,” she said. “Winning this award shows that people have taken notice of what I’m trying to achieve. The recognition means a lot to me and has become an inspiration to me, as well as a reminder, that good work and effort really do pay off in the end.”
Stratton earned a perfect 4.0 GPA as an undergraduate, where she majored in pre-law. Earning a full tuition scholarship to attend Michigan State University College of Law, she was an active member of the MSU Journal of Medicine and Law and completed an externship at the Michigan Tax Tribunal. She graduated summa cum laude.
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